FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT’S WITH ALL THE TEXTING?

We bring the dogs inside every time someone gets dropped off or picked up...  

Bringing the dogs inside during drop offs and pick ups makes it possible for your dog to come into our space by themselves, every time. This creates a consistent and calm transition, allowing them to settle their nerves BEFORE meeting a large group of dogs. This also keeps the large group of dogs already here, calm.  

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.  

This prevents the dogs from:

• Becoming unnecessarily stressed out 

• Becoming defensive or aggressive with each other by a stranger approaching 

• Thinking it’s THEIR mom or dad picking them up

• Barking and rushing the gate and becoming unruly or unmanageable

We do not have a traditional lobby or front desk for check-in so all drop-offs and pick-ups are done outside, in all weathers.

Texting when you’re on the way, allows us time to be ready for you.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO TEXT US WHEN YOU ARE ON THE WAY TO PICK-UP OR DROP-OFF 402-680-1030

WHY DO YOU WANT MY DOG THERE IN THE MORNING?

1. The later in the day your dog is into their own daily routine, the harder it is for them to adjust to our’s. The earlier they are here, the more time they have to get comfortable and settle in before bedtime. 

2. It is our number one goal to provide a safe and stress-free environment for every dog that stays with us, not just yours. In our experience, dogs that arrive late (even the nicest, most well behaved of dogs) make it hard on the other dogs to adjust to a new dog in the group, so late in the day. In turn, making it harder on your dog to adjust. We want to set up every dog to have a good time, early drop-offs help that!

NOTE: We know schedules don’t always allow for a morning drop off, so Mon-Fri, we have a small window of time in the afternoon (2:30pm-3:00pm), but always prefer you drop off in the morning.

To see our complete drop-off and pick-up hours please scroll to the bottom of any page.

WHAT VACCINES ARE REQUIRED?

We require: 

• Rabies 

• Distemper (DHPP)

• Bordetella (kennel cough) - 6 months or 1 year is accepted 

• We encourage your dog to be on both a heart-worm protection and a flea & tick preventative. This is the only way to prevent fleas, ticks, or any type of communally spread worms/warts. 

To send us your shot records: 

• Simply snap a picture of a hard copy you have at home and send it over via text (402-680-1030) or email. We just need to see the “REMINDERS” or “DUE DATE” sections. 

• Have your vet email you a copy of their records, and forward to us (this is so you know they got sent). We do not have a fax machine. 

NOTE: It is your responsibility to make sure your dog is up to date by a licensed veterinarian and we have their current shot record before their tour & trial day and any future boarding dates. 

WHY DO I BRING FOOD?

Please make sure you DO NOT change your dog’s diet before they come to board with us. DO NOT give them any human food or try a new treat/bone you have never tried prior to dropping them off.

Changing your dog’s diet abruptly can upset their digestive system, especially in a new environment. This can lead to your dog feeling ill, developing diarrhea or vomiting and adding unnecessary stress to their stay. 

NOTE: If your dog excessively soils their kennel, a cleaning fee could be applied to their bill and a bath charge could occur.

DO YOU TAKE PUPPIES?

We sure do!

We require all dogs to be at least 4 months old and:  

• Be up to date on all 3 vaccines (as far as they can be)  

• Be on a heart-worm preventative 

• Have their stool cleared by a vet 

• If they are older than 8 months, they must be spayed or neutered to stay

If your puppy is cleared by your vet to be in an environment with multiple dogs, they can play! Puppies actually do really well boarding with us due to the nature of our boarding. They get tons of play, lots of rest, and are kept on a potty routine very similar to home, keeping them on a successful path to potty training!

NOTE: Although most puppies do great, they many need to wait until they’re older (or had training) to board with us if they:

• are destructive/stressed in their kennels

• have excessive accidents

• lack basic social cues with other dogs

WHAT DOES MY DOG DO ALL DAY?

7:00am-8:30AM – First let out and morning stretches

8:30am- 10:00AM - BREAKFAST 
*We wait one hour after meals to prevent sickness or bloat before play

10:00-12:00PM - PLAY!

12:00pm-2:30PM - Nap 

3:00pm- 4:30PM - PLAY!

4:30pm-6:00PM - DINNER 
*We wait one hour after meals to prevent sickness or bloat before play

6:00pm- 7:30PM – PLAY!

7:30pm-8:00pm – Wind down and get ready for bed

*schedule is subject to change based on weather

WHY IS THERE NAP TIME?

Dogs sleep on average 13 hours a day at home. In our environment, they will play more and sleep less during the day than they would at home. It is important for them to get plenty of rest. Just like us, dogs get irritable when tired and their immune systems aren’t as strong. Rest and recuperation from their all day play is key to a safe, healthy, and stress-free vacation

Naptime: 12:00pm – 2:30pm daily
Bedtime:  8:00pm – 7:00am

HOW MUCH PLAY TIME DOES MY DOG GET?

Our guests receive up to 6.5 hours of all-day-group-play included with their overnights and slumber parties. We know not every dog wants to play all day and we do our best to cater to all of our guests' different needs. From couch snuggles for our older guests and lap time for the tiniest of guests, we have all your dog’s needs covered.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY DOG PLAYING WITH OTHER DOGS

We pre-screen all of our guests with a trial day to make sure everyone that stays at Katie’s Kennel is a safe and fun friend. We understand group play isn’t for every dog and we pride ourselves on being upfront and honest with our clients. If we don’t think your pup will have a successful stay with us, we will tell you. Making sure your dog will be comfortable and a positive pack member is a top priority to us. 

WILL MY DOG COME HOME CLEAN AND BATHED?

Although some dogs just keep to themselves, MOST dogs spend their vacation slobbering, wrestling and tumbling with their friends in all weathers! It is up to you to request an exit bath for their final day.

If your dog has an accident or soils their kennel, we will bathe them and a charge will be added to their bill. If they are excessively dirty, we will ask you specifically if you’d like them to be bathed.

Our baths consist of a shampoo, rinse, with a towel dry. We use a hypoallergenic and gentle shampoo for all coats.

See our Pricing & Services page for cost.

NOTE: Please plan to schedule your dog with their regular groomer if their coat requires extensive drying or brushing, or if they don’t tolerate baths well.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF BOARDING MY DOG?

While most of our guests board with us and never have an issue, there are risks to taking your dog into any setting where there are multiple dogs and open play. Boarding your dog is just like sending your child to daycare with other kids. Accidents happen, and there is a possibility they can get sick or hurt. It is your responsibility to research and be aware of all the risks. 

Some of these risks include but are not limited to: nips, bites, scratches, illness, injury, allergies (eye and nose), or stress-related illness (diarrhea, dehydration, UTI’s, etc). 

While we do everything in our power to minimize these risks by —

• pre-screening all of our guests, 

• splitting the groups up by size and temperament if needed,

• never leaving the dogs alone when they are out of their kennels (in the yard or in the building)

• cleaning rigorously

 — they unfortunately can still happen. 

Please see our BOARDING AGREEMENT to be fully aware of what you are responsible for.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY DOG NEEDS TO SEE THE VET?

We spend our mornings, days and evenings with your dog, so we get to really know them.  We are able to notice quickly if they don’t feel well. If your dog needs to see a vet, no matter what time, we can get them there. If your dog is injured, caused by themselves, or another dog, we will take all the necessary precautions to make sure they are cared for. We use CHALCO HILLS ANIMAL HOSPITAL and VCA 80DODGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL as our veterinarians for our licensing and emergency care.

The first thing we do when we think an animal is sick or injured is call the professionals and get their recommendation for action. We then immediately contact you, or your emergency contact if you can’t be reached, and update you on the situation. 

If we cannot reach you or your emergency contact, we will treat your dog as our own and get them the care they need. We prefer using our vets because we know the level of care they offer, they know how particular we are about our guests, and their pricing is fair. You are solely financially responsible for any veterinary care, for any reason caused to or by your pet, needed during or after their stay. View our BOARDING AGREEMENT here.

WHAT IS “KENNEL COUGH”?

Kennel cough is a term loosely used to describe a complexity of respiratory infections—both viral and bacterial—that causes inflammation of a dog’s voice box and windpipe. Simply put, it’s a cold.

Kennel Cough is spread through the air, or coming into direct contact with another infected dog.  Dog’s can catch “kennel cough” walking in their neighborhood, going to the pet store, the groomers, their vet, getting a drink of water from a communal bowl at a local business, or their daycare/boarding facility. 

Although we require the bordetella vaccine to help prevent kennel cough, it is similar to the flu shot, in which it covers the majority of strands of the virus, but not all. Kennel Cough has a 5-7 day incubation period, meaning, your pup will not show any signs for 5-7 days, but is still highly contagious in those 5-7 days. Which is why once the virus is spread, it’s hard to fight. 

If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, it is important to us that you keep them home. Symptoms for kennel cough are usually a cough/honking/hacking sometimes with phlegm. Usually it’s right after they have been sleeping and get up moving. There are two options for treatment: ride it out or contact your vet. Vaccinated dogs usually get a very mild case and most can kick it on their own within 3-5 days. If they seem to have a fever, get very lethargic, stop eating, a change in their temperatment, or you just feel their coughing is excessive, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet for an antibiotic. It’s very common and unfortunately, during busy times, spreads from facility to facility. If you think your family member caught their cough here, please do not hesitate to let us know so we can take the necessary precautions to help stop the spread of it and keep everyone healthy and happy!

What is GINGR?

GINGR is our software program where you can:

• Make reservations

• Check your reservation status

• Upload vaccine records

• Update your pet’s info if they’re on a med or their food changed

• Add new pets

• And much, much, more!

All clients are required to provide an active email address and are encouraged to get comfortable using the program. It is incredibly user-friendly and safe. Login into your account here.